STECHFORD is Birmingham's worst station for the disabled, where wheelchair users face three flights of steps and even a footbridge.

STECHFORD is Birmingham's worst station for the disabled, where wheelchair users face three flights of steps and even a footbridge.

But rail bosses are refusing to fund improvements at the station, and to others which are inaccessible to the disabled.

Centro says there is little money to carry out the necessary modifications, although the Strategic Rail Authority is pledging £370 million nationally over the next ten years.

Irene Wright, who campaigns for the Access Birmingham Committee said: "Birmingham International Station is an example of how it should be - if you're in a wheelchair you can get to any platform by yourself.

"But Stechford is completely inaccessible if you're in a wheelchair."

Under the Access for All initiative just five stations - Kidderminster, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, Stafford and Walsall - are to have step-free access.

Centro wants the SRA to remove Walsall and Erdington from the list, because they've had improvements, and replace them with Northfield, Stechford and Shirley.

Rob Donald, Centro's director general, said: "The level of funding will be totally inadequate to support the major expenditure needed to make all stations fully accessible."

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, station operators have to demonstrate that they have made "all reasonable efforts" to introduce suitable access.